My first thought when I read this earlier today was, wow, that's a lot of categories! Some great prizes too, many thanks to the admins and sponsors who donated the time and prizes to put this together again. Looking forward to spending the next two months staying up late and being bleary-eyed so I can try to put something together.

Oh, one question came to mind, I'm assuming it's all right to make an irregular or round base for our entries, like what blego7 made last year, as long as they are smaller then the 2 baseplate size limit? Correct?

How silly can our questions be before we're fed to the dragons, or sent to the slurry section of the gong farm?

9. The admins are discussing your silliness and will get back to you.

Mark of Falworth wrote:Oh, one question came to mind, I'm assuming it's all right to make an irregular or round base for our entries, like what blego7 made last year, as long as they are smaller then the 2 baseplate size limit? Correct?

10. Yes. The irregular plate or brick built base must fit within a 32x64 rectangular stud or 48x48 rectangular stud outline. You can not stagger the two 32x32 baseplates to create an extremely long outline.

ZacharyIslazy wrote:For the Trade and Tolls category, would a build featuring a merchant paying a tariff/ taxes on his imported goods fit the category?

11 That sounds fine. BTW, as an aside, we don't want to micro-manage your building. Go ahead and build what you think fits in. Our judging may reflect lower scores if a MOC doesn't fit the spirit of the category, but we also want people to think creatively and not just all make the exact same thing. The suggestions are just that - ideas to get the ball rolling.

ZacharyIslazy wrote:So to clarify, we can't use custom weapons, armor etc. in any category except the two custom minifigure categories?

12 From the 'categories and prizes' page:

You may use custom weapons only in the Realistic Castle Figure, Fantasy Castle Figure, and Miscellaneous categories.

Rick-Ricks wrote:For the "Castle" entry does it have to be a realistic castle, or can it have fantasy based elements?-Ricks

13 I'm going to tentatively say realistic, but the admins will discuss which categories should be realistic vs fantasy.

6 updated - You may use altBricks leaves in the forest life and Winter Scene categories.

8 udated - The contest entry page is now up. Thanks to our coder. BTW, I already saw a CCC entry get posted on Flickr this morning, so the gauntlet has been laid down to you all to get going.

9 updated - The admins have met and determined that footsteps and Rick-Ricks are to be fed to the dragons.

No one's asked yet, but:

14 - We also wanted to clarify that you can also use non-Lego string and can make custom sails out of paper or cloth. Those are allowances we've generally made in past contests and should continue.So, for the record, we generally want you to stick to official LEGO elements except:

The two custom figs categories have no restrictions, of course.Custom elements allowed in the architectural details category.altBricks leaves allowed in the forest life and winter scene categories.String and paper/cloth sails generally allowed.Custom animals generally allowed.Customization of fig torsos, flags and shields generally allowed.No restrictions on the misc category.Mega Blox get you fed to the dragons.

Even with those various allowances, remember that this is not a customization contest (except for the two explicit custom figs categories), but a building contest. Our judging will reflect great building, not customization (or the acquisition of massive amounts of figs, or of rare elements).

1. So most of the categories have a size limit of one 48x48 baseplate or two 32x32 baseplates. If in one of the aforementioned categories I build my winning masterpiece on either one 48x48 baseplate or two 32x32 baseplates and then just to add that little something special, put a nice slopey brick base border to hide that nasty edge of the baseplate, am I going to get fed to the dragons and my masterpiece broken up and given to young children to chew on, because it's too big?

2. Still on baseplates. Can the two custom minifig categories be on bases to create a little contextual scenery for the character? If so, any limitations?

3. Mark of Falworth has said he's entering every category twice and has already posted a magnificent castle. On an entirely unrelated note, can people get disqualified for showing off?

4. My in-laws are staying over and they are sleeping in my Lego room. As such I can't start building until tomorrow night when they leave. Can I legally evict them now? If not, is the notice period any less than the 30 hours I currently have to wait?

Thomas Arrowford wrote:3. Mark of Falworth has said he's entering every category twice and has already posted a magnificent castle. On an entirely unrelated note, can people get disqualified for showing off?

I vote yes. Sorry Mark. Don't bother building anything else for CCCX. See you next year!!

Thomas Arrowford wrote:4. My in-laws are staying over and they are sleeping in my Lego room. As such I can't start building until tomorrow night when they leave. Can I legally evict them now? If not, is the notice period any less than the 30 hours I currently have to wait?

Just slide a stink bomb under their door tonight. They'll be packing their bags first thing in the morning!

Bruce N H wrote:9 updated - The admins have met and determined that footsteps and Rick-Ricks are to be fed to the dragons.....Have fun! Avoid the fate of footsteps and Rick-Ricks!

Bruce

And so is proved the adage:

Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Hmmm, what's that sound in the air above me house?......

I'm a human BEING, not a human doing!The two most important days of your life are the day you are born
and the day you discover why. (Donald Sensing)
One plus one equals three... for large values of one. (Bruce Fournier)